Our Programs

OUR PROGRAMS

Advocacy

The Independent Colleges of Indiana serves as the collective voice for state’s 30 private non-profit colleges and universities, advocating at the state and federal level for financial aid so that all students, regardless of family background, have the opportunity to choose their best fit. In addition, ICI educates policymakers and the public about the unique benefits and contributions of Indiana’s independent sector of higher education to students and to Indiana.

Among ICI’s advocacy initatives are:

Student Lobby DaysDuring each long legislative session, ICI invites students from ICI institutions to Student Lobby Day. This event is an opportunity for students to learn who their local legislators are and thank them, either by writing a card or meeting them in person, for supporting state financial aid.

ICI Day @ the State HouseICI Day @ the Statehouse is an opportunity for the presidents and other representatives from ICI institutions to meet and greet Indiana legislators. They thank them for supporting state financial aid and fill them in on what’s happening at each of their institutions.

Collaborative Initiatives

The Independent Colleges of Indiana facilitates and offers participatory programs to ICI member institutions through its Collaborative Services Initiative that will:

Transform the internal processes by which private colleges perform their work.

Reduce prices for services and/or goods through leveraged contracts.

Improve the business terms and surrounding services with commonly used vendors.

Simplify purchasing processes and reduce time to research and implement new services and programs.

Nurture an environment for campus collaboration beyond that measured in dollars – administrative staffing and overhead, quality of academic programs.

Lilly Endowment Community Scholarship Program

The Lilly Endowment Community Scholarship provides 4-year, full-tuition scholarships to selected students from each Indiana county. Each scholarship must be used to pursue a baccalaureate degree at any accredited public or private Indiana college or university.

The Indiana Academy

The Indiana Academy exists to encourage and promote charitable, scientific, literary, and education purposes in conjunction with those institutions sponsoring these purposes in the State of Indiana. The Academy nominates and selects citizens of the State to membership in recognition of their contributions to cultural, scientific, literary, civic, religious, and educational development within the State.

STEM Teach III

Independent Colleges of Indiana, in partnership with Center of Excellence in Leadership of Learning (CELL), continues its successful STEM Teach initiative, now in its third iteration, to provide graduate content courses free-of-charge to in-service teachers needing dual-credit credentialing. STEM Teach III brings together participating ICI member colleges and public institutions to increase Indiana’s number of qualified dual-credit teachers through graduate coursework in science, technology, engineering, psychology, and mathematics.

Presidents Council

The ICI Presidents Council is made up of corporations who are strong supporters of Independent Higher Education in Indiana. Each company contributes $10,000 per year to ICI to support student scholarships at our member institutions. These companies are collaborators with our members and the ICI staff, and they are frequently present as guests or contributors at ICI events. Presidents Council members are invited to lunch with our board following our spring and fall board meetings and they are invited to the annual Indiana Academy dinner. ICI Affinity Group meetings include Presidents Council members as guests whenever possible. Frequently they are involved on ICI committees, are the first to be aware of upcoming projects, are trusted advisors on developing member services, and provide valued corporate perspective on the challenges being faced in higher education.

Private College Week

Private College Week is a chance for you and your family to imagine your future at any one of Indiana’s 30 private, nonprofit colleges and universities. This year, Private College Week takes place July 16 – 20.

ICI Counselor Tour

Experience for yourself – and your students – the unique flavors of Indiana’s independent colleges and universities. High school counselors and independent counselors are invited to join us for the ICI Counselor Tour (formerly known as the ICI Campus Tours), sponsored by the Independent Colleges of Indiana and designed specifically to meet the needs of counselors and other adults assisting students with the college choice and admission process.